Academy vs. University — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
An "Academy" is typically a specialized institution for learning or training, while a "University" is a higher education institution offering undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Difference Between Academy and University
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Academy" is often a term denoting a place of specialized learning or training. In contrast, a "University" is generally recognized as a comprehensive institution of higher education that offers both undergraduate and graduate programs.
In the realm of secondary education, "Academy" might be used to describe a particular school with a specific focus, such as arts or sciences. In contrast, the term "University" remains steadfast in denoting institutions geared towards higher academic degrees.
Historically, the term "Academy" traces its roots back to the Platonic school of philosophy. The term "University", however, stems from the Latin "universitas", signifying a community of scholars and teachers.
In various contexts, "Academy" might refer to an institution that emphasizes professional or vocational training. Meanwhile, "University" almost universally alludes to a broad spectrum of academic disciplines and research endeavors.
At times, an "Academy" could be a subset or a specialized department within a larger "University", focusing on a specific field of study or research.
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Comparison Chart
Level of Education
Often secondary or specialized training
Typically higher education (undergrad to postgrad)
Focus
May be specialized in certain areas
Comprehensive range of academic disciplines
Historical Origin
Platonic school of philosophy
Latin "universitas" for community of scholars
Size and Scope
Often smaller and more focused
Larger with multiple faculties and departments
Research Opportunities
Limited, depending on the academy
Extensive research across various fields
Compare with Definitions
Academy
A secondary school, especially a private one.
He enrolled his daughter in an elite academy.
University
An establishment made up of an undergraduate division and graduate divisions.
The university boasts a diverse student body from all over the world.
Academy
An institution for professional development or vocational training.
The police academy trains individuals to serve and protect.
University
A school that offers courses leading to a degree beyond the bachelor's degree.
The university offers various master's and doctoral programs.
Academy
A society or institution promoting art, literature, or science.
He was honored to be elected into the national academy of sciences.
University
A body of faculty and students seeking liberal arts education.
At the university, students are encouraged to think critically and explore various fields.
Academy
An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of secondary or tertiary higher learning, research, or honorary membership. The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded approximately 385 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and skill, north of Athens, Greece.
University
An institution of higher education and research granting academic degrees.
She is attending a university in California for her bachelor's degree.
Academy
A place of study or training in a special field
A police academy
University
A large institution often comprised of colleges in specific disciplines.
The university has a renowned college of engineering.
Academy
A society or institution of distinguished scholars and artists or scientists that aims to promote and maintain standards in its particular field
The Royal Academy of Arts
University
A university (Latin: universitas, 'a whole') is an institution of higher (or tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several academic disciplines. Universities typically offer both undergraduate and postgraduate programs.
Academy
A school for special instruction.
University
An institution for higher learning with teaching and research facilities typically including a graduate school and professional schools that award master's degrees and doctorates and an undergraduate division that awards bachelor's degrees.
Academy
A secondary or college-preparatory school, especially a private one.
University
The buildings and grounds of such an institution.
Academy
The academic community; academe
"When there's moral leadership from the White House and from the academy, people tend to adjust" (Jesse Jackson).
University
The body of students and faculty of such an institution.
Academy
Higher education in general. Used with the.
University
Institution of higher education (typically accepting students from the age of about 17 or 18, depending on country, but in some exceptional cases able to take younger students) where subjects are studied and researched in depth and degrees are offered.
The only reason why I haven't gone to university is because I can't afford it.
Academy
A society of scholars, scientists, or artists.
University
The universe; the whole.
Academy
Plato's school for advanced education and the first institutional school of philosophy.
University
An association, society, guild, or corporation, esp. one capable of having and acquiring property.
The universities, or corporate bodies, at Rome were very numerous. There were corporations of bakers, farmers of the revenue, scribes, and others.
Academy
Platonism.
University
An institution organized and incorporated for the purpose of imparting instruction, examining students, and otherwise promoting education in the higher branches of literature, science, art, etc., empowered to confer degrees in the several arts and faculties, as in theology, law, medicine, music, etc. A university may exist without having any college connected with it, or it may consist of but one college, or it may comprise an assemblage of colleges established in any place, with professors for instructing students in the sciences and other branches of learning. In modern usage, a university is expected to have both an undergraduate division, granting bachelor's degrees, and a graduate division, granting master's or doctoral degrees, but there are some exceptions. In addition, a modern university typically also supports research by its faculty
The present universities of Europe were, originally, the greater part of them, ecclesiastical corporations, instituted for the education of churchmen . . . What was taught in the greater part of those universities was suitable to the end of their institutions, either theology or something that was merely preparatory to theology.
Academy
The disciples of Plato.
University
The body of faculty and students at a university
Academy
The garden where Plato taught.
University
Establishment where a seat of higher learning is housed, including administrative and living quarters as well as facilities for research and teaching
Academy
Plato's philosophical system based on skepticism; Plato's followers.
University
A large and diverse institution of higher learning created to educate for life and for a profession and to grant degrees
Academy
An institution for the study of higher learning; a college or a university; typically a private school.
Academy
A school or place of training in which some special art is taught.
The military academy at West Point; a riding academy; the Academy of Music.; a music academy; a language academy
Academy
A society of learned people united for the advancement of the arts and sciences, and literature, or some particular art or science.
The French Academy; the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; academies of literature and philology.
Academy
(obsolete) The knowledge disseminated in an Academy.
Academy
Academia.
Academy
A body of established opinion in a particular field, regarded as authoritative.
Academy
A school directly funded by central government, independent of local control.
Academy
A garden or grove near Athens (so named from the hero Academus), where Plato and his followers held their philosophical conferences; hence, the school of philosophy of which Plato was head.
Academy
An institution for the study of higher learning; a college or a university. Popularly, a school, or seminary of learning, holding a rank between a college and a common school.
Academy
A place of training; a school.
Academy
A society of learned men united for the advancement of the arts and sciences, and literature, or some particular art or science; as, the French Academy; the American Academy of Arts and Sciences; academies of literature and philology.
Academy
A school or place of training in which some special art is taught; as, the military academy at West Point; a riding academy; the Academy of Music.
Academy
A secondary school (usually private)
Academy
An institution for the advancement of art or science or literature
Academy
A school for special training
Academy
A learned establishment for the advancement of knowledge
Academy
A place of study or training in a special field.
She attended a prestigious dance academy in New York.
Academy
A place of advanced artistic or technical training.
The academy offers specialized courses in digital arts.
Common Curiosities
Does an "Academy" grant degrees?
It depends; some might offer certificates or diplomas, while others may not.
Do all universities offer postgraduate programs?
Most do, but it varies by university.
Is an "Academy" the same as a "University"?
No, an academy often has specialized focus, while a university offers broad higher education.
Is a "University" always bigger than an "Academy"?
Not necessarily, but universities typically offer a broader range of studies.
Is every "University" part of a collegiate system?
No, the structure varies by country and institution.
Can "Academy" refer to a type of secondary school?
Yes, especially in certain contexts or regions.
Do all countries use "University" in the same way?
There might be nuances, but the general concept of higher education remains.
Is an "Academy" more hands-on than a "University"?
It can be, especially if it focuses on vocational or professional training.
Can an "Academy" be part of a "University"?
Yes, it could be a specialized department or school within a university.
Can "Academy" refer to a society of scholars?
Yes, especially for promoting arts, literature, or science.
What's the main function of a "University"?
To provide higher education and research opportunities, granting academic degrees.
Can you call a music school an "Academy"?
Yes, if it offers specialized training in music.
Are online institutions called "Universities"?
Some are, if they offer a range of higher education programs similar to traditional universities.
How long has the concept of a "University" been around?
For centuries, with some tracing back to ancient civilizations.
Are "Academies" typically private institutions?
Often, but there are public academies as well.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
